---
title: "Manchester United: Darwin Nunez approach made"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-transfer-news-darwin-nunez-approach-made-erik-ten-hag/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-05-23T10:40:50Z"
modified: "2022-05-23T10:40:50Z"
---

# Manchester United: Darwin Nunez approach made

**Manchester United have already established contact with Benfica over a potential deal for Darwin Nunez.**

That’s according to journalist Ryan Taylor, who was speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88010583-man-utd-have-initiated-contact-over-bringing-51m-striker-to-old-trafford).

### The lowdown

New United boss Erik ten Hag is preparing for his first summer transfer window at the club.

On Monday, the Dutchman officially began work at Old Trafford, [having opted to make an early start](https://theathletic.com/news/ten-hag-manchester-united-ajax/4WIRmEOZF4X9/).

According to [The Athletic’s David Ornstein](https://theathletic.com/3310089/2022/05/16/ornstein-liverpool-bring-physio-back-to-help-salah-van-dijk-and-fabinho-fitness-push-cornets-17-5m-release-clause/?source=emp_shared_article), ‘sources close’ to Benfica think that 22-year-old forward Nunez will be available for around €60million (£51million).

CBS reporter James Benge also said last week that the Uruguayan was on ‘[Ten Hag’s list](https://twitter.com/jamesbenge/status/1527610791515635713)‘.

[Latest Man Utd updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-updates-2/)

### The latest

Taylor thinks that United will look to support Ronaldo with the addition to another no. 9.

They admire Nunez and have opened a dialogue both with Benfica and his camp to establish the feasibility of a move.

“I do sort of question where United’s priorities lie; it’s probably a striker to help Ronaldo,” [he told GMS](https://www.givemesport.com/88010583-man-utd-have-initiated-contact-over-bringing-51m-striker-to-old-trafford).

“So, Darwin Nunez, I know he’s a player definitely that United like, and they’ve initiated contact with Benfica and his agent to sort of gauge what kind of price tag would be enough to get him.”

### The verdict

Nunez very much looks like an elite striker in the making.

He’s enjoyed an outstanding season, netting a remarkable [34 times in 41 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darwin-nunez/leistungsdaten/spieler/546543) across all competitions, averaging one every 82.9 minutes.

The Primeira Liga may be [outside Europe’s top five divisions](https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2022), but Nunez has also delivered on the Champions League stage with [six goals in ten appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darwin-nunez/leistungsdaten/spieler/546543), including two against Barcelona, two against Liverpool and one against Bayern Munich.

Cristiano Ronaldo finished the season with [24 goals](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/top-scorers) following his return to Manchester, but he’ll turn 38 next year and he’s suffered from a [recurring hip issue](https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2021-2022/cristiano-ronaldo-set-to-miss-manchester-united-s-premier-league-finale-at-crystal-palace-in-front-o_sto8934070/story.shtml) this term.

Fresh blood may be needed in that position, especially a young goalscorer in red-hot form hailed as ‘[brilliant](https://www.footballinsider247.com/arsenal-expert-issues-brilliant-darwin-nunez-claim-after-transfer-report-i-had-a-good-look-at-him/)‘ by former top-flight striker Kevin Campbell.

**In other news, [the representatives of this Man Utd target have arrived in the UK](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/manchester-united-jurrien-timbers-representatives-transfer-update/).**